Fire at Exeter (Pa.) Meetinghouse

A meetinghouse fire took half of Exeter (Pa.) Meetinghouse's roof last Sunday, March 20, and has left the remainder of the roof compromised. None of the 30 members and attenders present that day were hurt. Exeter Meeting's Clerk, Paul Kerr, said of the cause, "We were using the potbelly stove as usual and the roof, or possibly the crawl space beneath the roof, caught fire." The Exeter Police Department and Fire Martial are investigating the cause of the fire.

Quick and steady action was taken to remove furniture, books, and other important materials from the meetinghouse, while several people climbed to the roof to try to contain the fire. A handful of neighbors came to the meeting's aid.

The meetinghouse was largely untouched by the fire, but floors and walls were swamped by water and debris after several local fire companies applied water to the fire. The meeting has sought the help of a professional salvage company, which has covered the roof of the meeting to prevent further damage, and has cleaned out debris and standing water.

"Our next step is to come together for worship and then to meet afterward to begin to find our way forward on decisions for reconstruction and where to meet as Friends in the interim," Paul Kerr said earlier this week. "Exeter Meeting has received many, many messages of prayer and sympathy. And they keep coming, as do personal offers to help in the recovery and restoration. I am moved by the depth of compassion for our community," said Paul Kerr.

Pottstown (Pa.) Fellowship Group has invited the meeting to join their meeting for worship this week.